When the Field Feels Heavy: Trusting the Process of the Spirit

Sometimes, the weight of the gospel, the weight of the world, or even the weight of our own missionary preparation feels immense. Maybe you’re deep in study, feeling the strain of preparing for those crucial missionary discussions, or perhaps you’re just wrestling with a personal trial that makes the daily walk feel like an uphill battle. If you’ve ever felt that deep ache of weariness—the kind that makes you question the sustainability of the effort—I want to speak to you from a place of shared experience.

I remember times in the field, years ago, when the enthusiasm that first brought me to the gospel seemed miles away. The going was tough. It wasn't the lack of effort; it was the sheer *weight* of expectation, both mine and what I felt the Lord placed on me. It felt like a constant struggle just to keep my focus on the Savior.

It’s easy, when we are focused on the mechanics of the work—the lesson plans, the call to action, the next transfer—to forget that the greatest work is simply cultivating our relationship with the Father. We can know *intellectually* that God is our Defender, as we learn in our scriptures, but there is a profound difference between knowing it and *experiencing* it when everything feels shaky.

The message I keep returning to, especially when I’m reviewing my own missionary journey or helping a friend prepare for their own, is found in 1 Peter 5:7: “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

This isn't a suggestion for when things are easy. This is for when the going is hard. When you are discouraged, when you are tired, when it feels like a never-ending struggle, that is precisely when the Lord invites you to develop a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him. It’s in the valleys that we learn the contours of His care.

The video I shared reminds me that sometimes, the hardest seasons aren't punishments; they are divine curriculum. They are what draw us closer to the heart of God. When we are willing to "let go" and place our burdens—our anxieties about the mission, our struggles to be more Christlike, our fears about the future—into His hands, we allow Him to take care of us in ways we can’t even imagine.

Finding Strength in the Process

Fellow disciples, we are called to be Internet missionaries, disciples anywhere, all the time. That means we can’t wait for the perfect season, the perfect assignment, or the perfect clarity of thought. We must practice the art of surrender *now*.

If you are feeling the strain of the work right now, I encourage you to treat this week like a mini-mission prep exercise in trust. Don't try to solve every problem, every interpersonal difficulty, or every doctrinal question by sheer willpower. Instead, dedicate time to simply *let go*.

A Bite-Sized Skill: The Practice of Spiritual Dumping

This week, try the "Spiritual Dumping." When you feel overwhelmed, pause. Don't analyze the problem. Instead, physically or mentally "dump" the worry onto the Savior. You can write it down, say it out loud, or simply whisper, "Father, I give this to you." This isn't just positive thinking; it’s an act of faith that invites the Spirit to work in the space you just cleared.

Remember that the Lord doesn't just care for us when we are succeeding; He cares for us most when we are struggling to believe we can succeed. He promises to take care of us in a special way.

If this message resonated with you, I invite you to join our next virtual gathering. We'll be diving deeper into trusting the process. If you prefer quiet study, check out the Book Club options in HolyPlaces—it’s a wonderful place to wrestle with scripture alongside others.